Stated out front !!! Its my house, and I am pedantic... I supervised every cable run, every plasterboard, laid all my flooring and tiling, sanding, painting etc.. I do however have a sparky to do my electrical work, just like I have a plumber to do my plumbing - so all certification is done... However, I like programming my CBUS and thats where my interest lies. So when I built the two story house, I thought - nah... ceiling fans look dickie... Now after living in it for 3 years, I realise the benefits for creating some airflow and redistributing heat etc... So I am now thinking about putting ceiling fans in as a retrofit. Which raises two questions, that you experts might help with - one being cubs, and one less obvious, physical installation. Cbus question... Ceiling fan with light - I have 3 phase, so I guess I will need to ensure that both the light and fan operate on a single phase. ( Which should be okay, as only one phase enters my cubs switchboard, other phases go straight to power points or other things not cubs controlled.) The fan controller will need to be fitted outside my switch box in a roof cavity - as I have no space left in the cabinet. So I am aware of the plastic housing available for it - thats cool. The light on the fan of course I will want dimmable - I already have that in place, so my spark y just needs to run flex from my switchboard to the specified cavity where the fan controller will be, and then on to the ceiling fan. Most fans appear to operate on a common neutral - so will it mater which one is used? The current neutral from the light (dimmer) will be fine ? Hence just an active from the fan controller ? Now before you all start jumping up and down - yes my spark y will do it - but I am trying to work out whether its possible first - as it will be a difficult cable run - and will it be worth it. The fan is on the ceiling with no access from above (ground floor of two story) - no easy access. However I know every bearer and path, and believe it will be possible (i Think) - so I intend to run the draw line for my electrician (that way if I damage something - I blame myself and fix it). Did I mention I need to install these on large ceiling roses - yep the reason I want to ensure its practical. Question 2 - supporting the ceiling roses... I have looked around and found T Hook - don't think I can use that, the depth of the ceiling rose prevents me getting something like that into the cavity. The J Hook has a similar problem for me. Luckily, I mounted some craft wood between the joists at the location of the light fitting, so I could screw a batten on solidly if I wanted. This block of craft wood goes between two rafters, is screwed into the rafters and liquid nailed into place. The plasterboard sits flush to this - thus giving something solid to screw into. Do you think that the standard fan mounting bracket, with an appropriate length of screw will suffice for supporting the fan. The bracket will be held tight up against the ceiling rose - and it should support the weight as per normal. So now you can see why I am asking the questions - there is more than one location in the house I am now considering the ceiling fan - and they all the same issue, its going to be a bugger of an install, and I am seeking thoughts as to whether its possible or its going to be more trouble than its worth ! (I never make things easy for myself - lol - at least I like to plan things out fully and understand them before tackling them - lol) Thanks :)
